Method of dispensing a material

ABSTRACT

A method and system for dispensing a material through a delivery apparatus is provided. The material initially comprises or is manipulated to comprise a low viscosity. The material either can comprise a curable material or can comprise initiators, which can be activated to raise the viscosity at a later time and position. The low viscosity material is moved through the delivery apparatus for a relatively long distance using low energy. Upon nearing an end use application, the material and/or initiators can be activated by a curing agent, such as a light or heat source, such that the viscosity of the material be raised prior to the end use application thereof. Therefore, the present invention provides a method and system for moving a material normally having a higher viscosity a long distance requiring lower energy and pressure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 9,772,059 issued onSep. 26, 2017, the complete disclosure of which is expresslyincorporated by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a method for moving anddispensing a material over a relatively long distance by utilizing amaterial having an initial low viscosity and raising the viscosityduring transport of the material at or near a final end use for thematerial.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Liquid or liquid-like materials, such as resins, medicines or otherhealthcare liquids, grouts, and the like are often utilized or needed ata location remote from a storage or source. Therefore, the materials arepumped or otherwise transported from the storage or source to thelocation of the end use application for the material. The materials canbe transported relatively long distances. For example, resin used forpipe repair can be pumped hundreds of feet. Liquids used in healthcare,such as pumping a material through a patient's blood vessel or to alocation in a patient, may not be as long of distance, but due to thesize of the material and delivery apparatus, the distance is comparableto pumping the resin for pipe repair over the longer distance.

To be able to pump the material the required distance, the viscosity ofthe liquid material must be low enough to not become clogged orotherwise prevent the movement of the material. While the low viscositymaterial is ideal for pumping or transporting, it can be less than idealfor the actual end use application for the material. For example, amaterial having a low viscosity would sag or fall off the interior wallof the pipe or structure, when used to repair pipes. For other uses, thelow viscosity of the material will prevent proper end use applicationsas well. Blood or medicine that is transported to a particular locationin a patient may not be able to be utilized, as it does not have thecorrect consistency or viscosity for the use.

Methods have been used to try to change the viscosity of a material intransport. One application has been used in pipe repair. The technologywill take a two-part epoxy and twin hoses—one hose having part A and theother having part B. The materials are pumped through the hoses and thenmixed at the end of the hose; typically, where there is a spinningnozzle that will spin the materials onto the wall of the pipe. The mixedmaterial is typically very thick (high viscosity), making it difficultto pump through the hoses. To compensate, heated hoses are used to lowerthe viscosity by raising the temperature. A problem with this is thatheated hoses in a pipeline, especially in a sewer, are not a good thing.In addition, the hoses are very expensive and are big, heavy, and bulky,with connectors that can short out and corrode. Another disadvantage isthat when the material does come out the end, it is a low viscositybecause it has been heated. Even if the last 25-50 feet of hose is notheated, which allows the material to thicken, you now have 50 feet ofhose that you are pumping a high viscosity material, which will requirehigher pressures. There is also the concern of viscosities not changingbetween A and B because you need the proper mix ratio.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a method and apparatus forpumping a curable material a long distance, while allowing the viscosityof the material to be changed prior to reaching its end use applicationsuch that the material will be in a usable form at the location of itsend use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a primary object, feature, and/or advantage of thepresent invention to overcome deficiencies in the art.

It is another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present inventionto provide a method for transporting a liquid or liquid-like material adistance and changing the viscosity of the material prior to an end use.

It is yet another object, feature, and/or advantage of the presentinvention to provide a method of at least partially changing theviscosity of a liquid or liquid-like material while transporting thematerial.

It is still another object, feature, and/or advantage of the presentinvention to provide a method for pumping a curable material a longdistance.

It is yet a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the presentinvention to provide a method and apparatus for repairing a pipe using aone-part, UV cured resin pumped a long distance.

It still a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the presentinvention to provide a method and apparatus that includes a partialcuring region in a pumping and dispensing apparatus to partially cure amaterial during transport.

These and/or other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The presentinvention is not to be limited to or by these objects, features andadvantages. No single embodiment need provide each and every object,feature, or advantage.

According to an aspect of the invention, a method of dispensing amaterial through, a delivery apparatus having a starting end and adispensing end is provided. The method includes pumping a materialcapable of changing viscosities through the delivery apparatus, at leastpartially changing the viscosity of the material via a UV-light sourcewhile pumping the material, and dispensing the material comprising theat least partially changed viscosity out of the dispensing end of thedelivery apparatus.

The material can comprise curable material, such as an ultraviolet (UV)curable initiator. Generally, the material will be a one-part material,such as a one-part resin. The UV initiators can be added to thematerial. Thus, the material can be changed to a low viscosity, with theinitiators therein. The material can be pumped through the deliveryapparatus. At a location relatively near or at the dispensing end or enduse of the material, the material can be exposed, at least briefly, to aUV light source. The light source would raise the viscosity of theresin. The resin would then be in a more usable form for the intendedend use application of the resin, e.g., repairing the wall of a pipe.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of moving aliquid material through an apparatus to an end use application isprovided. The method includes providing a material having a firstviscosity and comprising a UV-curable initiator, moving the materialthrough the apparatus and towards the end use application, and changingthe viscosity of the material to a viscosity higher than the firstviscosity while continuing to move the material towards the end useapplication.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a system for moving amaterial to an end use application is provided. The system includes adelivery apparatus comprising a first end and a second end, a materialcapable of changing velocities capable of being pumped through thedelivery apparatus and towards the end use application, the materialcomprising a UV-curable initiator, and a curing agent adjacent thedelivery apparatus to at least partially raise the viscosity of thematerial by partially curing the material prior to the end useapplication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a method a moving a liquid or liquid-likematerial to an end use application according to an aspect of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a pipe being repaired according to anexemplary end use application of the method of moving the material.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing the repair progressingthrough the pipe.

FIG. 4 is an elevation and partial sectional view of a tractor andextruder used in the pipe repair of FIG. 2 to change the viscosity ofand to dispense a material.

FIG. 5A is a partial view of a section of a dispensing apparatuscontaining a material with UV-curable initiators and having a first, lowviscosity.

FIG. 5B is a view similar to FIG. 5A after the viscosity of the materialhas been raised at least partially.

FIG. 5C is a view similar to FIGS. 5A and 5B wherein the material hasbeen fully cured.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a system 70 including a method of moving aliquid or liquid-like material 74 to an end use application 100according to the exemplary aspect of the invention. The method andsystem 70 shown in FIG. 1 includes a storage or source 72 for storingand/or beginning the transfer of a material 74. Thus, the storage 72 maybe any sort of storage connected to a delivery apparatus 84. Forexample, the storage may be a truck, a vat, a mixing chamber, or thelike. A material 74 is housed within the storage 72 before beingtransferred via the delivery apparatus 84 to the end use application100.

The material 74 may be liquid or liquid-like. For example, the material74 may be an epoxy, resin, composition, solution, mixture, or the like.The material may be a single component material or may be a compositionof one or more components. The material 74 at the first end 86 of thedelivery apparatus 84, or within the storage 72, comprises or ismanipulated to comprise a low viscosity. The low viscosity of thematerial 74 will allow the pump 80 connected to the delivery apparatus84 to pump the material 74 using less energy and/or pressure. This willallow a greater efficiency of movement of the material through thedelivery apparatus 84, as well as reducing the costs due to thereduction in energy required for the pump 80 to pump the material 74. Itshould also be appreciated that pumping a material 74 having arelatively low viscosity will reduce the amount of time of transportingthe material. For example, low viscosity materials could be around 50centipoise (cP), while high viscosity materials can be as much as ormore than 50,000 cP.

The materials 74 at the storage/source 72 may comprise a low viscosity,or may be mixed with a component to reduce the viscosity thereof. Forexample, silicone or other thick resins, grouts, or epoxies, may bemixed with a chemistry to thin out the material, thus reducing theviscosity of the material. In addition, initiators such as UV initiators76 and/or heat initiators 78 may be included with the reduced viscositymaterial. Reducing the viscosity of the material will allow the materialto be pumped through a delivery apparatus 84 with less pressure, energy,time, etc. The viscosity of the material will be able to be raised at alater location of the delivery apparatus 84 such that the end useapplication 100 may utilize the higher viscosity of the material 74. Theend use application 100 may utilize the material 74 having a viscositysimilar to the original viscosity before thinning, or may even be at ahigher viscosity such that it can be used as desired.

The material 74 comprising a low viscosity and either comprising a UVcurable material or including UV initiators 76 therein is pumped via thepump 80 in the direction generally shown as arrow 82 through thestarting or first end 86 of the delivery apparatus 84. The pump may be avacuum pump or other type of pump. As the viscosity of the material 74will be relatively low, the pump will not be required to produce a greatdeal of pressure in transferring the material 74 therethrough. However,at some distance away from the first end 86 of the delivery apparatus84, it may be beneficial to at least partially change the viscosity ofthe material 74 by raising the viscosity. For example, since theviscosity of the material was lowered or at a lower state at thebeginning of the use, the material will be more easily pumped. However,this low viscosity material 74 may not be ideal for its intended end useapplication 100. As will be discussed, a possible end use of thematerial may be pipe repair wherein the material is dispensed about theinterior of a pipe. A material having a low viscosity will not be idealfor such an application, as the material would sag or not stick to thefull periphery of the interior of the pipe wall. Therefore, it may bepreferred to at least partially raise the viscosity of the materialprior to dispensing the material 74 at the interior of the pipe wall.This would allow the material to maintain its position about theinterior periphery of the pipe wall.

Therefore, at some distance from the first end 86 of the deliveryapparatus 84, a curing agent or station 88 may be provided. As will beappreciated, the curing agent 88 as provided for the present inventioncomprises a non-chemical, externally based device or system for at leastpartially raising the viscosity of the material 74. The schematic ofFIG. 1 shows that the curing agent 88 may be a UV light source 90 and/ora heat source 92. For example, when the material 74 either comprises aUV curable material or comprises UV initiators 76 within the material74, the UV light source 90 may be utilized via a low voltage amountand/or wave lengths in order to change the viscosity so that when thematerial is passed further through the delivery apparatus 84 theviscosity will be increased to be more paste-like. The UV light source90 may be a light tunnel or other apparatus for exposing the UV light tothe material. However, when the material 74 comprises a heat curablematerial and/or heat initiators 78, the heat source, such as a heatlamp, steam, or the like, may be at least partially exposed to thematerial 74 within the delivery apparatus to at least partially raisethe viscosity of the material therein. It should also be appreciatedthat both the light source and the heat source may be utilized either atthe same time or in conjunction with one another such that the materialis exposed to both of the curing agents to at least partially raise theviscosity thereof.

After passing the curing agent or station 88, the material is continuedin the direction shown by the arrow 94 towards the distal or second end96 of the delivery apparatus 84. The material is continued towards theend use application 100 thereof. It should be appreciated that the enduse application 100 for the material 7 is generally a relatively longdistance away from the first end 86 of the delivery apparatus 84. Thus,the low viscosity of the material at the first end will allow thematerial to be dispensed to the curing station 88 and thus end useapplication 100 using relatively low pressure and/or energy. It shouldalso be appreciated that the curing agent or station 88 and the end useapplication 100 be either at the same location or relatively close toone another such that once the material 74 has had its viscosity raised,the higher viscosity material 74 will not need to be pumped a greatdistance. This will further aid in reducing the energy and/or pressureof the pump required to transport the material through the deliveryapparatus 84.

The present invention contemplates various end use applications 100 fordelivering the material 74 and changing the viscosity of the material 74from a generally low viscosity to a generally higher prior to the enduse application 100. For example, as will be discussed in relation toFIGS. 2-4 below, one end use application may involve pipe repair 102wherein the material is pumped a long distance through a hose, theviscosity of the material is raised via the curing agent, and the higherviscosity material is then dispensed about the interior of a pipe wall.The single component material comprising either a UV curable material orUV initiator requires only one hose for the pipe repair so that multiplecomponents do not need to be mixed prior to dispensing the material. Theviscosity could be raised at the end of the hose with a low amount of UVlight and the material could then be spun or dispensed about the wall ofthe pipe. The material having the higher viscosity and thus beingthicker reduces the possibility of sag, while also increases the finalcure time of the material as the additional curing of the material canbe done in a lower amount of time.

Other possible end use application may include medical use 104 anddispensing or transfer of materials 106. For example, as mentionedabove, the method and apparatus of the system 70 of the presentinvention could be used to dispense or transfer a material a relativelylarge or long distance. The material 74 could start with a highviscosity and could be thinned by adding a component to it that makes itthin out, i.e. reduces the viscosity. A UV initiator 76 could also beadded to the material 74 at the thinned or low viscosity stage. At thedischarge end of the delivery apparatus 84, the low viscosity material74 containing or comprising the UV initiator 76 could be exposed to a UVlight to turn the low viscosity material back into the original thickmaterial as it was before being thinned. The exposure to light couldalso raise the viscosity to an even higher viscosity than the originalmaterial 74. The amount of change of viscosity could be varied by theintensity of light, the amount of time exposed to light, the voltageamount, the wavelength of the light, etc. Therefore, materials such asoil 108, other natural resources 110, silicone or other plastics 112, orother materials 114 could be transferred a relatively long distancethrough a delivery apparatus 84 by the present invention. The materialscould simply be thinned out to lower the viscosity prior to dispensingthe material. An initiator, such as a UV initiator 76 and/or heatinitiator 78 could be added to the low viscosity material 74. Thematerial is then pumped through the delivery apparatus to the end useapplication. For instance, the oil could be dispensed to its end useapplication such as a refinery. At or just prior to this end useapplication, the material can be exposed to a curing agent, such as a UVlight source 90 and/or heat source 92 such that the material will bebrought back to approximately its original viscosity level. However, itshould be appreciated that the viscosity level could be varied such thatthe end use application has the viscosity of the material at a lowerlevel of viscosity or a higher level of viscosity than the materialoriginally comprised.

It should be appreciated that the system and method according to thepresent invention has numerous uses and benefits. For example, asmentioned, the medical industry could include UV light initiators inblood or medicine prior to being dispensed within a patient's body. Ator close to an end use application, such as an infection site or surgerysite, the blood and/or medicine could be exposed to a UV light source toraise viscosity of the material prior to reaching the end useapplication. Other industrial plants that have a product or productsthat need to be pumped and transported could also benefit from themethod and system of the present invention. Therefore, it should beappreciated that the examples described herein are for illustrativepurposes only, and are not to be an exhaustive list of possible uses forthe present invention. The present invention contemplates that generallyany material could be transported using the system and method of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 2-4 show an exemplary example of the use of the method andapparatus according to the present invention. It should be appreciatedthat the description of FIGS. 2-1 is for illustrative purposes, and isnot to be limiting to the present invention. Furthermore, additionaluses are contemplated.

Referring to FIG. 2, a main pipe 10 is shown extending between anupstream manhole 12 and a downstream manhole 14. Lateral pipes 18 extendfrom the main pipe. The main pipe 10 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 includes adamaged section 16 in need of repair. While the present invention isshown for use with sewer pipe repair, the present invention can beutilized for repairing other types of pipe, this but not limiting togas, water, oil, steam, and compressed air pipes.

To repair the damaged section 16 of the main pipe 10, a tractor 22, anextruder 24, and a bladder 30 are inserted within the pipe 10. Thetractor 22 includes a plurality of wheels 23 for movement of the tractor22 about the interior 20 of the main pipe 10. The extruder or dispensingapparatus 24 is attached to an end of the tractor 22. The bladder 30, asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3, may be positioned through or adjacent a portionof the extruder 24 and tractor 22 such that a sufficient length ofbladder 30 is positioned within the pipe 10 to allow the bladder 30 toexpand, such as by inflation, to allow the bladder 30 to be expandedabout the full periphery of the damaged section 16 of the main pipe 10.

The tractor 22 and extruder 24 are connected to one another, and also toa resin hose 28. The resin hose 28 is connected to a resin reel 42, andis used to transport a resinous material 26 that is pumped via pump 41from a resin source 40. The pump 41 and resin source 40 may be locatedon a truck 44 positioned outside of the pipe system. The pump 41 is usedto pump resin 26 from the source 40 through the resin line 28 into,through, and out of the extruder 24.

As discussed above, the bladder 30 is positioned in the pipe 10,including adjacent to or through the tractor 22 and extruder 24. Shownin FIG. 2, the bladder 30 may be positioned through the extruder 24 butnot the tractor 22, or may be positioned adjacent both or through both.Positioned, generally at each end of the main pipe 10 are first andsecond gaskets 36, 38. The gaskets 36, 38 may comprise a NSF/ANSI 61material, which may be a hydrophilic material. The first and secondgaskets 36, 38 will aid in sealing the ends of the main pipe 10 suchthat any dispensed material will not go outside the area in need ofrepair. Therefore, the gaskets 36, 38 may not be at the ends of the mainpipe 10, and may instead surround the damaged section 16 of the pipe.The bladder 30 includes an open end 33 attached to a bladder roller 50including an inflation source 46, and an opposite closed end 34positioned at the opposite end of the pipe in need of repair. A rope 48may be extended through the bladder 30 and connected to the closed end34 to aid in removal of the bladder 30 from the pipe in certainembodiments.

The resinous material 26 being pumped through the resin line 28, tractor22, and out the extruder or dispensing apparatus 24 may be a one part,ultraviolet (UV) cured resin. The resin material 26 may have a lowviscosity while being stored in the reservoir 40 and also while beingpumped through the resin line 28. However, the viscosity of the resinmaterial 26 may be increased to a higher viscosity prior to beingdispensed at the extruder 24. Therefore, the tractor 22 may include alight tunnel 34 therein. The light tunnel 54, as will be discussedbelow, will include light initiators 56 for at least partiallyactivating and curing the UV-cured resin 26 as it is pumped through thetractor 22. The light tunnel 54 of the tractor 22 will increase theviscosity of the resin material 26 prior to being dispensed via theextruder 24. As in known in the art, it is advantageous to have a higherviscosity material being pumped in a manner similar to that shown inFIG. 2 via the extruder 24 in between an exterior surface 32 of thebladder 30 and the interior 20 of the pipe 10 such that the resinmaterial 26 will not be able to drip or migrate from the periphery ofthe interior 20 of the pipe 10. The higher viscosity will allow thedispensed resin to maintain its position at the interior 20 at the pipe10.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the resin material 26 having a lowviscosity will be pumped through the resin line 28 from the reservoir 40towards the tractor 22. The light tunnel 54 of the tractor 22 will beginto at least partially cure the material 26, thus increasing viscosity ofthe material as it is moved through the tractor 22. The materialcontinues through the extruder 24, beginning in the extruder entrance 58and exiting at the extruder exit 60, and is dispensed between anexterior surface 32 of the bladder 30 and the interior 20 of the pipe10. As the bladder 30 is being inflated through the pip 10 as thetractor 22 and extruder 24 are moved through the pipe, the bladder 30will press the dispensed material against a wall of the pipe 10, whereit is allowed to further cure and harden.

Other components shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 that may be included withembodiments of the present invention include one or more cameras 52positioned on or at the tractor 22. The cameras 52, which are connectedto an area external of the pipes via a camera line 53, will aid inviewing the interior of the pipe 10, including the dispensement of theresin material 26 between the bladder 30 and the pipe 10. This will aidin moving the tractor 22 through the pipe 10. The tractor 22 may bemoved in the pipe 10 by pulling or rolling the resin line 28 via theresin hose reel 42. Thus, the speed of the resin hose reel 42 may beadjusted as needed according to what is shown by the cameras 52 and thepipe 10. However, it should be appreciated that not all embodimentsrequire a camera or cameras within the pipe, and the speed of travel bythe tractor 22 in the pipe 10 may be preset such that it is automaticthrough the pipe based on prior knowledge of the dispensing rate of theresin material 26 by the extruder 24. In addition, other sensors besidescameras may be used.

As discussed, the bladder 30 may be connected to a bladder roller 50 atan open end 33 of the bladder 30. The bladder roller 50 may include oninflation source 46, such as an air source, for inflating the bladder asthe repair assembly (tractor, extruder, etc.) moves through the pipe 10.The inflation source 46 will provide air or another fluid to theinterior of the bladder 30 such that the inflating edge of the bladderwill remain close to the dispensing head or extruder exit 60 such thatthe bladder 30 will press the resin material 26 between the exterior 32of the bladder 30 and the interior 20 of the pipe 10 as it is beingdispensed. The present invention contemplates that the resin material 26may be dispensed either in front of or behind the inflating edge of thebladder 30. It is also contemplated that, instead of the tractor 22moving due to the resin hose reel 42, the inflation of the bladder 30may also press against the extruder exit 60 end of the extruder 24 suchthat the continued inflation of the bladder 30 will move the tractor 22and extruder 24 through the pipe 10. The extruder 24 may also include aplate (not shown) or other device for resting adjacent the inflatingportion of the bladder 30. In addition, a rope 48 may be connected tothe reel 50 and closed end 34 of the bladder 30 such that the rope maybe pulled or reeled once the resinous material has cured to remove thebladder 30 from the interior of the pipe 10. However, it is alsocontemplated in other embodiments that the bladder may remain within thepipe 10.

While FIGS. 2 and 3 show the bladder 30 and resin material 26 blockingthe lateral pipes 18 extending from the main pipe 10, it should beappreciated that the present invention contemplates that the lateralpipes 18 may be reinstated once the resin material 26 has cured, thusreinstating access to the main pipe 10 via the lateral pipes 18. Thelateral pipes 18 may be reinstated as is known the art, such as bycutting the resin material and/or bladder material at the opening of thelateral pipes 18.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation and partial sectional view of a tractor 22and extruder 24 that may be used for the pipe repair according toembodiments of the present invention. As discussed, a resin line 28 isconfigured to pump the resin material 26 from the reservoir 40 to theextruder 24. As shown in FIG. 4, the resin line 28 may pass through thetractor 22 and into the extruder entrance 58 of the extruder 24. Asshown by the sectional view of the tractor 22, the interior of thetractor 22 includes a light tunnel 54 comprising a plurality of lightinitiators 56. As discussed above, the resin material 26 may be onepart, UV-cured resin having an initial low viscosity. The low viscosityof the resin will allow the resin to be pumped easily over longdistances. However, it may be desired to dispense a resin having ahigher viscosity within the pipe 10. The light tunnel 54 comprising theplurality of light initiators 56 comprise UV light sources such that theresin material 26 passing through the transparent resin line 28 throughthe tractor 22 will be initiated by the light initiators 56 to begincuring. The curing will raise the viscosity of the resin as it movesthrough the tractor 22 and into the extruder 24. This, the resin beingdispensed by the extruder 24 will have a higher viscosity that willmaintain its position at the interior 20 of the pipe 10. Thus, therewill be less chance of the resin material 26 running from the crown ofpipe or the pipe and/or sagging.

FIGS. 5A-5C are partial sectional views of a dispensing apparatus 84containing a material comprising a UV curable material and/or UV curableinitiators. FIG. 5A shows a section of the dispensing apparatus 84containing a material 74 comprising a low viscosity and comprising lightinitiators 76 therein. The material, such as a resin, epoxy, grout, orthe like, can include multiple components, including the lightinitiators 76. However, the material 74 shown in FIG. 5 will be of sucha viscosity that low energy and/or pressure is required to move thematerial through the dispensing apparatus 84.

FIG. 5B shows a section of the dispensing apparatus 84 adjacent thecuring agent or station 88, in this case a UV light source 90 havinglight rays, which are shown by the arrows in FIG. 5B. As mentioned, thecuring agent 88 can change the viscosity of the material 74 in thedispensing apparatus 84, such as by partially curing the material toraise the viscosity thereof. As shown in FIG. 5B, the light initiators76 will be activated by the rays of the UV light source 90 such thatpartial bonds 77 will begin to be formed within and between thecomponents of the material 74. Thus, the material 74 shown in FIG. 5Bwill have a higher viscosity 94, which would occur at a distal or secondend 96 of the dispensing apparatus 84. However, it should be appreciatedthat the material 74 shown in FIG. 5B will still be able to betransported through the dispensing apparatus, but it may require ahigher pressure to do so.

FIG. 5C is a schematic of the material 74 in the dispensing apparatus 84at an end use application 100 thereof. The material 74 shown in Figure Cis shown as being fully cured 98. Thus, the material has been cured viaheat, light, or some combination thereof to fully cure and harden thematerial therein. This is shown by the inclusion of bonds 77 connectingall of the components of the material 74 in FIG. 5C. In this case,therefore, the end use application 100 may be a pipe repair or other enduse wherein it was desired for the material to become fully cured at theend use application, which may be near or approximately at the distalend 96 of the dispensing apparatus 84. However, it should be appreciatedthat not all uses of the system will result in the material becomingfully cured and/or hardened at the end use application. Instead, theraising of the viscosity of the material 74 via the curing agent 88 maysimply revert the material from a low viscosity back to its originalhigher viscosity for its end use application. The present invention isnot to be limited to the depiction shown in FIGS. 5A-5C.

Thus, as has been shown, the present invention is a method and systemfor transporting a liquid-like material through a hose, conduit or otherdispensing apparatus by pumping, vacuuming, or the like. The materialstarts out being low, to require the least amount of energy to move thematerial through the dispersing apparatus. For example, the moreconsistency the material is like water, the easier it is to move saidmaterial. However, material can comprise a heat or light curablematerial, or can comprise heat or light initiators therein. The curablematerial and/or initiators provide for the raising of the viscosity ofthe material at some later location after transport of the materialthrough the delivery apparatus. Thus, once the material has beentransported using the least amount of energy, prior to an end useapplication thereof, the material can be activated to raise theviscosity thereof to allow for the end use application of the material.

The invention has been shown and described above with reference toembodiments, and it is understood that modifications, substitutions, andadditions may be made which are within the intended spirit and scope ofthe invention. For example, the invention has shown and describesspecific examples for the use of the present invention. However, as hasbeen mentioned, the examples and descriptions listed herein are forexemplary and illustrative purposes only, and are not to be limiting tothe scope of the invention. The invention is only to be limited h claimsappended hereto.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of repairing a pipe by dispensinga material through a delivery apparatus, comprising: positioning acuring station in the pipe; moving the curing station through the pipe;pumping a material capable of changing viscosities through the deliveryapparatus toward the curing station; at least partially changing theviscosity of the material using the curing station while pumping thematerial toward a dispensing apparatus, wherein the curing station usesheat to change the viscosity of the material; and dispensing thematerial comprising the at least partially changed viscosity through thedispensing apparatus toward a wall of the pipe.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein the curing station further comprises an ultraviolet (UV) lightsource and the material comprises a UV-curable material.
 3. The methodof claim 1 wherein the material comprises a heat-curable initiator. 4.The method of claim 1 further comprising fully curing the dispensedmaterial.
 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising positioning abladder in the pipe so that the material is between the bladder and thewall of the pipe.
 6. The method of claim 5 further comprising the stepof removing the bladder from the pipe.
 7. The method of claim 1 whereinthe step of at least partially changing the viscosity of the materialcomprises at least partially curing the material while pumping.
 8. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the material is a one part resin.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the material capable of changing viscositiesflows unimpeded through the curing station.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein the range of viscosity of the material is approximately 50centipoise to approximately 50,000 centipoise.
 11. A method of repairinga pipe comprising: providing a delivery apparatus combined with a firstpart of a curing station, a dispensing apparatus combined with a secondpart of the curing station, and a material having a first viscosity;positioning the curing station in the pipe; moving the material throughthe delivery apparatus and towards the curing station; using the curingstation to change the viscosity of the material to a viscosity higherthan the first viscosity while continuing to move the material towardsthe dispensing apparatus, wherein the curing station produces heat tochange the viscosity of the material; dispensing the material comprisingthe higher viscosity at a distal end of the dispensing apparatus andtoward a wall of the pipe; positioning a bladder in the pipe so that thematerial is between the bladder and the wall of the pipe.
 12. The methodof claim 11 further comprising allowing the dispensed material to cure.13. The method of claim 11 further comprising inflating the bladder topress the dispensed material against the wall of the pipe.
 14. Themethod of claim 13 further comprising the step of removing the bladderfrom the pipe.
 15. The method of claim 11 wherein the curing stationfurther includes the ability to radiates UV-light to change theviscosity of the material.
 16. The method of claim 11 wherein thematerial further comprises a heat-curable initiator.
 17. The method ofclaim 11 wherein the curing station is a tractor having a light tunnel.18. The method of claim 11, wherein the material capable of changingviscosities flows unimpeded through the curing station.
 19. The methodof claim 11, wherein the range of viscosity of the material isapproximately 50 centipoise to approximately 50,000 centipoise.
 20. Asystem for repairing a pipe, comprising: a delivery apparatus having afirst end combined with a resin source and a second end combined with acuring station, the curing station including an ultraviolet (UV) lightsource and a heat source; a material capable of changing viscositiescapable of being pumped through the delivery apparatus and towards thecuring station; and wherein the curing station is adapted to at leastpartially raise the viscosity of the material prior to dispensing of thematerial from the curing station.
 21. The system of claim 20 wherein theUV-light raises the viscosity of the material by at least partiallycuring the material.
 22. The system of claim 20 wherein the heat sourceraises the viscosity of the material by at least partially curing thematerial.
 23. The system of claim 20 wherein the curing, station is atractor.
 24. The system of claim 23 wherein the tractor includes a lighttunnel at least partially surrounding a portion of the deliveryapparatus.